Wind turbine tower cable positioning device

Abstract

A cable positioning and securement system for use in a wind turbine includes an inner ring member configured to non-rotationally engage one or more cables extending from the nacelle into the wind turbine tower. An outer ring member is disposed concentric to the inner ring member. A bearing device is configured between the inner ring member and the outer ring member. One or more fixing devices extend radially from the outer ring member and attach to the tower. The fixing devices position the outer ring member at a defined non-rotational position within the tower, and the inner ring and engaged cable are able to rotate freely within the outer ring member.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A cable positioning and securement system for use in a wind turbine, the wind turbine comprising a nacelle supported atop a tower, wherein at least one cable is routed from the nacelle into the tower, the system comprising:
 an inner ring member configured to non-rotationally engage the cable; 
 an outer ring member disposed concentric to the inner ring member; 
 a bearing device disposed between the inner ring member and the outer ring member; 
 one or more fixing devices extending radially from the outer ring member and configured to attach to the tower at a fixed vertical position within the tower; and 
 wherein the fixing devices position the outer ring member at a fixed vertical and non-rotational position within the tower, and the inner ring and engaged cable are able to rotate freely within the outer ring member. 
 
     
     
       2. The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the fixing devices are rigid members that prevent lateral movement of the outer ring relative to the tower. 
     
     
       3. The system as in  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the fixing devices are circumferentially spaced around an outer circumference of the outer ring and have a length to fix the outer ring at a central position within the tower. 
     
     
       4. The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the inner ring member comprises a cable clamp ring. 
     
     
       5. The system as in  claim 4 , wherein the cable clamp ring comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced recessed positions for receipt of one or more cables in each of the recessed portions, the recessed portions being non-rotationally configured in the clamp ring while the clamp ring is rotational relative to the outer ring. 
     
     
       6. The system as in  claim 5 , wherein the cable clamp ring comprises an outer circumferential surface that defines an inner race of the bearing device. 
     
     
       7. The system as in  claim 6 , wherein the bearing device comprises a roller bearing arrangement. 
     
     
       8. A cable positioning and securement system for use in a wind turbine, the wind turbine comprising a nacelle supported atop a tower, wherein at least one cable is routed from the nacelle into the tower, the system comprising:
 an inner ring member configured to non-rotationally engage the cable; 
 an outer ring member disposed concentric to the inner ring member; 
 a bearing device disposed between the inner ring member and the outer ring member; 
 one or more fixing devices extending radially from the outer ring member and configured to attach to the tower; 
 wherein the fixing devices position the outer ring member at a defined non-rotational position within the tower, and the inner ring and engaged cable are able to rotate freely within the outer ring member; and 
 wherein the fixing devices are elastic devices that permit lateral movement of the outer ring relative to the tower. 
 
     
     
       9. The system as in  claim 8 , wherein the elastic devices comprise elastic chords. 
     
     
       10. A wind turbine, comprising:
 a nacelle supported atop a tower; 
 at least one cable routed from the nacelle into the tower; 
 a cable positioning and securement system configured within the tower, comprising
 an inner ring member non-rotationally engage with the cable; 
 an outer ring member disposed concentric to the inner ring member; 
 a bearing device disposed between the inner ring member and the outer ring member; 
 one or more fixing devices extending radially from the outer ring member and configured to attach to the tower at a fixed vertical position within the tower; and 
 wherein the fixing devices position the outer ring member at a fixed vertical and non-rotational position within the tower, and the inner ring and engaged cable are able to rotate freely within the outer ring member. 
 
 
     
     
       11. The wind turbine as in  claim 10 , wherein the fixing devices are rigid members that prevent lateral movement of the outer ring relative to the tower. 
     
     
       12. A wind turbine, comprising:
 a nacelle supported atop a tower; 
 at least one cable routed from the nacelle into the tower; 
 a cable positioning and securement system configured within the tower, comprising
 an inner ring member non-rotationally engage with the cable; 
 an outer ring member disposed concentric to the inner ring member; 
 a bearing device disposed between the inner ring member and the outer ring member; 
 one or more fixing devices extending radially from the outer ring member and attached to the tower; 
 wherein the fixing devices position the outer ring member at a defined non-rotational position within the tower, and the inner ring and engaged cable are able to rotate freely within the outer ring member; and 
 wherein the fixing devices are elastic devices that permit lateral movement of the outer ring relative to the tower. 
 
 
     
     
       13. The wind turbine as in  claim 12 , wherein the inner ring member comprises a cable clamp ring. 
     
     
       14. The wind turbine as in  claim 13 , wherein the cable clamp ring comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced recessed positions for receipt of one or more cables in each of the recessed portions, the recessed portions being non-rotationally configured in the clamp ring while the clamp ring is rotational relative to the outer ring. 
     
     
       15. The wind turbine as in  claim 14 , wherein the cable clamp ring comprises an outer circumferential surface that defines an inner race of the bearing device. 
     
     
       16. The wind turbine as in  claim 15 , wherein the bearing device comprises a roller bearing arrangement.